Vienna, AUSTRIA (July 28) -
Queenslander Natalie Hughes (pictured) has joined the exodus of Australians playing
professional basketball abroad by signing with an Austrian club today.
The 21-year-old guard from Gladstone signed with the Vienna club in the
Austrian first division, after unsuccesfully entering the Annual Draft
of the professional American Basketball League last month.
Hughes, who was an All-American honorable mention with the University
of Oregon this past season, turned down two invitations to attend WNBA
camps preferring to pursue a professional career in the ABL or Europe.
Her lucrative contract, reported by Austrian contacts
to be worth in excess of $100,000, is for ten months running August 1998 to
May 1999.
Hughes recently graduated from Oregon after two successful seasons in which
she led the Ducks to two NCAA Tournament appearances, to be named All-Pac 10 and
All-American honorable mention. At junior college at Central Arizona College,
Hughes was twice named NJCAA All-American.
Athens, GREECE (July 27) -
Two minor rules changes were approved earlier this week by FIBA, the
governing body for international basketball, reports AP.
After a two-day meeting in Athens, Greece, prior to the start of the world
championships, the World Congress of FIBA decided to stop the
game clock after a basket is made during the last two minutes of
a game and in overtime.
Also, the number of timeouts in the
second half will increase from two to three.
National federations
are obliged to put the new changes into effect prior to the World
Juniors Championships, to take place in Portugal in June 1999.
The congress also elected Abdoulaye Seye Moreau of Senegal as its
president for the next four years. He will replace George Killian
of the United States.
New York, USA (July 27) -
The Australian Boomers this week claimed the first medal by a senior men's
team in international competition when they took the silver at the
Goodwill Games at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Playing in their
first major senior final, the Boomers went down in overtime 93-85 to the
United States in the final.
Shane Heal led the Boomers with a Goodwill Games high 38 points, and
Captain Andrew Gaze added 25.
I'm proud of our team," coach Barry Barnes said after the game. "We're
disappointed, but this has been a great week for our preparations for
Greece."
Australia looked to go inside at the start of the second half, with
Anstey registering 8 early points as Australia extended to a 58-52
lead. The USA refused to lie down and regained the edge 61-60. The
game remained tight throughout the rest of the half, with neither club
able to gain a clear edge until the extra period.
"Well, we overachieved on what we thought we were capable of doing.
It's bitterly disappointing because I thought we had every opportunity
in winning that game. I think after a day of being disappointed about
this result, we'll reflect back on it and say that this was a great
effort by us," Heal said after the game.
The Australian team is now in Athens, Greece, to compete in the 13th
FIBA World Championships of Basketball, which commences on Wednesday 29
July. The Boomers will face Argentina in the opening game.
Athens, GREECE (July 27) -
Instead of NBA stars, the United States will be
represented at the World Championships by college and minor
league players, including Michigan product Jimmy
King, a member of the Wolverines' Fab Five class that went to two
NCAA championship games, reports AP.
King was the CBA most valuable player in
1998.
"Now we've gotten down to our 12 and all of these guys are
going to become part of a family," said Houston Rockets coach
Rudy Tomjanovich, who is coaching the USA team. "Our chemistry is
good."
Because of the NBA lockout, USA Basketball recruited
players from the CBA, colleges and foreign leagues. Eight of the
players have played in the NBA, and four have been members of
previous U.S. teams.
The 12-member roster also includes Brad Miller, who graduated
from Purdue this year; Wendell Alexis, a 1986 Syracuse graduate
who plays for Alba Berlin in Germany; Ashraf Amaya (Southern
Illinois 1993) who plays for the CBA's Idaho Stampede; Bill
Edwards (Wright State 1993), who plays for Virtus Rome; Kiwane
Garris (Illinois 1997), who plays for Grand Rapids of the CBA;
and Michael Hawkins, a 1995 Xavier grad who plays for Olympiakos,
Greece.
Also selected were Gerard King, a 1996 Nicholls State
grad who plays in Siena, Italy; Jimmy Oliver (Purdue 1991) who
plays for Ciuda De Huelva, Spain; Jason Sasser (Texas Tech 1996),
who plays for the CBA's Sioux Falls Skyforce and for Caja San
Fernando, Spain; and David Wood, (Nevada Reno 1987), who plays
for the CBA's Rockford Lightning and for Unicaja Malaga, Spain.
Duke guard Trajan Langdon has been added to the United
States basketball team,
replacing Michigan State's Mateen Cleaves, who sprained his left
ankle in the weekend's exhibition win over Italy.
Adelaide, AUSTRALIA (July 27) -
The National Basketball League champion Adelaide 36ers have released
back-up guard John Rillie from the final year of his contract, reports the ABC.
The 36ers had offered Rillie a one-year extension on his current contract,
but with no guarantee of a starting role.
New NBL side West Sydney Razorbacks has given Rillie what he wants, and he will sign
with the rookie franchise.
The 36ers are holding talks with North Melbourne forward David Stiff, as
Rillie's replacement.
The club is continuing negotiations with premiership American imports
Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks, regarding their return for the summer season.
Sydney, AUSTRALIA (July 27) -
The finals of Australia's National Wheelchair Basketball League were held in Sydney
this week.
In a home town derby West Sydney Slix held off the Sydney
Comets 70-62 to clinch the title.
For West Sydney, Troy Sachs had a game
high 37 points , while Koen Jansens led the Comets with 33. Adelaide
Thunder (68) defeated the Dandenong Rangers (62) in the play-off for
bronze.
New York, USA (July 21) -
Australia suffered its first defeat of the 1998 Goodwill Games as the
gold medal favourite Russia prevailed 81-73 at Madison Square
Garden in New York.
The Boomers staged a stunning second half comeback after trailing by as
many as 19 points, closing to within 4 points in the closing minutes.
Captain Andrew Gaze led the way with a game high (29) points, while
centre Paul Rogers enjoyed his best game in the green and gold,
registering (15) points and (7) boards. Rogers shot an impressive 7
from 8 from the field.
The match developed a hard edge as Boomer rookie Simon Dwight clashed
with Russia's Andrei Fetissov, with both players hit with technical
fouls.
The Russian team settled faster, and extended to a 45-28 lead at
the interval. Tempers frayed again just before the half, as Chris
Anstey (pictured) and Fetissov got physical under the Boomers basket. Fetissov was
again blown for a technical, resulting in his ejection from the game.
Australia suffered in the foul count, with 14 first half fouls assessed
to the Boomers. Anstey received four fouls in the half, prompting coach
Barry Barnes to utilise Rogers, who made an impact with (4) points and
(4) rebounds.
It was a fired up Boomers line up that started the second half, with
Rogers and Vlahov on the floor. Rogers continued to exert his
influence, with (11) points to open the half and narrow the gap to 12
points.
The Boomers continued to chip away, and moved within 4 with
2:14 on the clock before Russia steadied to take the win.
The Boomers face Lithuania later this week
needing a victory to advance to the semi-final round.
Australia's quest for Goodwill Games "gold" began brilliantly earlier this week when
the Boomers disposed of Argentina 84-72.
Shane Heal, who paced a balanced offence with (18) points in which four
players registered double points, led Australia. He was well supported
by Andrew Gaze (17) and (7) assists, while Chris Anstey (12) and Andrew
Vlahov (11) provided solid support on the front line
Australia tuned up for the Goodwill Games with a 74-73 "victory"
over the United States in a scrimmage in New Jersey.
Shane Heal led the way with (18) points and (4)
assists, while captain Andrew Gaze added (15) points.
Hobart, AUSTRALIA (July 20) -
Darren Smith, despite the intention of not playing, and just suiting up
after months out injured, played
in the Hobart Chargers' convincing win over the Canberra Gunners -
signalling to the rest of the CBA that the team is back in the race
for the national championship.
Scoring 8 points in 14 minutes (6 from the line) Smith was a welcome
return to the now fit Chargers side, heading the CBA's South Conference.
With a lot of work to do to regain training and match fitness, the signs
are looking good for the Chargers.
With only 4 weeks to go in the regular season, and a play-off place
assured, it is only a question of how far can the Chargers go.
Playing Mt Gambier and Bendigo away in 2 weeks time will be a guide, and
the last home game of the season sees the Tatts Chargers meet the
and up and coming Broadmeadows Broncos - a good preparation for the final series.
Meanwhile, Sidney Mines made a mockery of the title he holds as the oldest
major league player in Australia, by leading the Ipswich Eagles with
26 points in the win over Burdekin Wildcats in the CBA's North Conference.
41-year-old Mines (6'4") compiled his team high score on the road, while matching up against
6'9" Michael Pennisi, who just a year ago was starting for Eastern Michigan
University, and All-Big Sky Conference Phil Rodman (pictured), brother of the NBA's
Dennis Rodman.
See all the weekend CBA scores and ladders
Melbourne, AUSTRALIA (July 20) -
A Victorian coroner has once again called
for a ban on slam-dunking in basketball, reports the Sydney
Morning Herald.
The coroner made the call when he handed down his findings into the death
of after a man who died from his injuries when a brick wall, supporting a
basketball ring, collapsed on him.
The Coroner found that the wall met its design requirements and while it
was a factor in the death it was not the leading cause.
He called for all
basketballers to end slam-dunking because of uncertainty over stress
standards and the maintenance of equipment.
However, the deceased's
brother said that slam-dunking could never be taken out of the game.
San Diego, USA (July 18) -
With the NBA lock-out reaching as far as the up-coming World
Championships, everyone was watching the NBA players in the
"wrestling" match, when a bodyguard snuck in and decided
things.
Dennis "Rodzilla" Rodman and Karl "The Mailman" Malone
were the main attractions at San Diego State's Cox Arena in the
tag-team match, reports AP.
Rodman, a member of the NBA champion Chicago
Bulls, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan beat Malone, a member of the NBA
Finals runner-up Utah Jazz, and Diamond Dallas Page before a
sellout crowd of 12,000 and a pay-per-view television audience.
After Malone slammed Hogan's and Rodman's heads together, leaving
them sprawled in the ring, their bodyguard, The Disciple, entered
the ring and quickly slammed Page to the canvas.
The bodyguard
rolled Hogan onto Page and got the referee's count.
A defiant
Malone disagreed with the result, grabbing the referee around the
neck and slamming him into the canvas.
Brisbane, AUSTRALIA (July 18) -
With import Chuck Kornegay not returning, the National Basketball League's
Brisbane Bullets have been forced to look to the future, signing two
Australian under-23 World Championship gold medallists in the past week.
The club lost CJ Bruton at the end of this season, and star
import Chuck Kornegay told the club he is leaving to play in Spain, reports
the ABC.
However, coach Brian Kerle says the signing of Australian under-23
representatives Phil Doherty and Brendan Mann will ensure the future
of the club for a number of years.
Kerle says he is now looking to sign a suitable import player to
complement the skills of Leroy Loggins and Steve Woodbury as well as
the younger recruits.
Chuck Kornegay decided to reject an option to stay with the club and
instead he intends to play in Spain next season.
Kornegay phoned Bullets management to give them the news.
However, the loss of Kornegay has been somewhat offset with the
signing of Doherty from the Perth Wildcats, and Mann from Canberra Cannons.
Meanwhile in the Women's National Basketball League, the Canberra
Capitals have signed former Opal, Shelley Sandie, for two years.
Sandie has been playing with the San Jose Lasers in the professional
American Basketball League.
New York, AUSTRALIA (July 18) -
Andre Miller, who led Utah into the NCAA championship game
this year, heads the 12-man U.S. basketball team
to play the Australian Boomers in the Goodwill Games.
Coach
Clem Haskins said the 6-foot-2 Miller, who passed up the NBA
draft to remain in school, will be the starting point guard for the
Games atarting in New York this weekend, reports AP.
Haskins selected two other players as probable starters - Elton
Brand, the 6-8 Duke freshman, who will play center, and Jumaine
Jones, a shooting guard from Georgia.
Others who made the team
were Calvin Booth of Penn State, Brian Cardinal of Purdue, Keith
Carter of Mississippi, Khalid El-Amin of Connecticut, Dion
Glover of Georgia Tech, A.J. Guyton of Indiana, Quincy Lewis of
Minnesota, James Posey of Xavier of Ohio, and Wally Szczerbiak of
Miami of Ohio.
Meanwhile, the USA team to play in the World Championships starting
in a couple of weeks time, are preparing the Germany.
Sydney, AUSTRALIA (July 14) -
The Australian Boomers claimed their second international
series win with a victory over the Canadian National Men's team,
beating them 88 - 70 in game 4 in Sydney.
In another physical encounter the Boomers were led once again by Captain
Andrew Gaze (25) and Shane Heal (17). The young rookies Ben Melmeth
(12) points and Simon Dwight with (6) points and (8) rebounds showed
maturity beyond their years and led a strong bench effort.
The Aussies led at half time by a narrow margin 37 - 35 and despite a
determined Canadian team, led by Rowan Barrett (13) and Todd MacCulloch
(11) points and (10) rebounds, were too strong and sealed the series
three games to one.
The Boomers will now head to New York on July 15 to participate in the
Goodwill Games as final preparation for the World Championships to be
held in Greece from July 29 to August 9.
In the earlier game, the Australian Rollers tied up their series against
Canada 2 - all with a 55-50 win. David Gould (14), Gerry Hewson (8) and
Tim Maloney (7) led the side to a hard fought victory against the young
Canadian side.
Chicago, USA (July 14) -
While the Australian Boomers are readying themselves with
international series wins just two weeks before the World
Championships, the U.S. are still to finalise their team.
Duke standout Trajan Langdon and Big Ten player of the
year Mateen Cleaves of Michigan State were among those who made
the first cut for the U.S. world championship team, reports AP.
Houston
Rockets and Team USA Coach Rudy Tomjanovich chose 16 finalists
Saturday in Chicago for the 1998 FIBA World Championships, which
begin July 29 at Athens, Greece.
Tomjanovich is expected to
announce the final 12-man roster after the team's training camp
in Monte Carlo.
The 16 finalists are: Langdon; Cleaves; former
Michigan Fab Fiver Jimmy King; Earl Boykins; Brad Miller; Kiwane
Garris; Michael Hawkins; Jimmy Oliver; Wendell Alexis; Tim
Breaux; Bill Edwards; Jason Sasser; David Wood; Ashraf Amaya;
Warren Kidd; and Gerard King.
Of the final 16, two are current college players, two just
completed their eligibility (Boykins, Eastern Michigan; Brad
Miller, Purdue), six played overseas professionally, five played
in the CBA and one played both overseas and in the CBA.
Training
camp at the Moody Bible Institute ends Tuesday, and the team will
train in Monte Carlo from July 15-23.
Ipswich, AUSTRALIA (July 14) -
Amid a roller-coaster Continental Basketball Association season, the
Ipswich Eagles may be on the path to an historic world's first coaching
appointment.
Sources close to the Eagles suggest current coach John Johnson will not
be retained in 1999, and that former Australian Opal Trish Cockrem will be
appointed mens head coach - yes, a former Australian Opal!
Cockrem, who represented Australia at the 1983 World Championships
and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, would be the first female head coach in a mens
major league competition in the world.
Other coaches have reportedly been approached for the job, including some
in the regional Greater Brisbane League.
Johnson's possible axing is not all that is rocking the Ipswich team,
which after a 4-0 start have now slumped to be 8-15 in the CBA's
North Conference.
Captain Grieg Cumming was ejected from the Eagles game against Brisbane
Brewers over the weekend, and must face a judiciary.
Cumming allegedly came to blows with All-CBA forward Ryan Stolberg -
a former Ipswich team mate.
Fights have also occurred even during team training, including a recent
scuffle reportedly involving assistant coach Chris Clarkson, Mick
Catlin and Brett Popham.
Meanwhile in the rest of the CBA, the Central Conference's
Noarlunga City Tigers have surrendered the league's best record
with their second consecutive loss over the weekend.
Their 5 point loss to Norwood Flames, despite 24 points from Willie
Joseph and 16 from former Australian Boomer Rick Hodges, rocked their
win-loss record to 15-2.
Cairns Marlins, after 17 straight wins for a 21-1 win-loss record in the North Conference,
now appear set to enjoy home court advantage throughout the play-offs,
despite conference rivals Gold Coast Warriors making a charge.
Warriors (18-7) have won 8 straight and are looking good, with former
Australian Boomer Peter Hill back in the team, along with Dwayne
McClain formerly with the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
Click here for all CBA weekend scores
from around Australia.
Brisbane, AUSTRALIA (July 14) -
The Brisbane Bullets' search for a new point guard for
their up-coming NBL campaign is
over, having signed
Australian under-23 World Championship team member
Brendan Mann, reports the ABC.
Mann has been with the Canberra Cannons for the past
three years.
Bullets coach Brian Kerle says Mann is more of a
passer than a scorer, and will get players like
Steve Woodbury and Leroy Loggins involved in the
action.
"He distributes the ball well and gets the right
people involved in the right situations," Kerle said.
"He will get the chance to play some big minutes
next season and his assist to turnover ratio is
almost 3:1, which puts him up with the best point
guards in the league."
The signing of Mann is critical after C.J. Bruton announced last
month he would not be returning to the Bullets.
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